Kalidou Koulibaly has hit at Chelsea after completing a move to Al-Hilal.
The former Napoli centre back spent just a season in the Premier League as the Senegalese star believes he wasn’t treated well during his spell at Chelsea.
Having sealed his move to Saudi Arabia, the centre-half has now admitted he was not happy with his frequent bench role at Chelsea – starting just 20 of their 38 league games.
He also insisted the ‘coach’s and club’s choices’ prevented him from recapturing his best form in England, moving on to ensure he is playing regularly ahead of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign at the start of next year.
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He Said
‘I had no guarantees to get regular playing time [at Chelsea], I was always professional but I don’t like to sit on the bench doing nothing.”
‘I prefer a place where I am wanted and at the centre of the project and can be an example for young players.
‘The Premier League is fantastic and there are great players.
They expected the Koulibaly of Napoli, but I think my season was not so bad.
‘I needed time and in one year I couldn’t prove what I wanted because of the coach’s and club’s choices.
‘I am happy with what I learned about my limits, my family and my kids.
‘My time had come and I had to make a decision. My teammates sent me so many messages, they are all sorry, but I have to prepare for the AFCON.
‘It’s the most important thing for me, Senegal want to win again, but it won’t be easy.’
Koulibaly links up with former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves in the Saudi Pro League and will meet former Chelsea teammates N’Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy next season.
Kante has signed for Al Ittihad alongside Karim Benzema while Ziyech is closing in on an £8m move to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
